Happy Thanksgiving!

Life in South Carolina is very well for the Morris Family.  We are all finding ourselves adjusting to the South quite well.  We anticipated things to be very different and uncomfortable, but we have found just the opposite.  God has been gracious to us, and this is just another way that we know that we are meant to be here.  Our home is finally looking like it should, with things on the walls and boxes put away.  I have gotten a second job working at Target here in Anderson.  So far everything is going well.  All of us struggled for a bit with one sickness after the other, but we are all coming out on top now.

Crystal and I have been waiting to start serving at NewSpring, but the physical health of our family has kept us from that.  But we are excited to know that this Sunday, December 1st, we will both be meeting some of our new leaders and will start volunteering very soon.  Crystal is going to be serving in the nursery with KidSpring and I am going to be involved with the Care Team, both of us working on Sunday mornings.  In addition, as my schedule permits, I am trying to help out with the Next Steps teams in the church offices.

We are also finally meeting new people and developing friendships.  Crystal attended her first MOPS meeting earlier this month and met a lot of great moms that she has since connected with.  We also attended a Thanksgiving dinner with our new home group.  That was enjoyable and we are excited to continue to meet new people and develop new and meaningful friendships.

Please continue to pray for us as we adjust to this new area.  The weather is colder than we are used to, and that has probably caused most of our sickness.  In the mornings, there is often this white, cold, crystallized substance on our cars.  We are still trying to figure out what it is. =) Please pray that God would continue to have favor upon our family as we live for His glory and purposes.  We know He will provide for our every need, and for that we are thankful.  We miss our friends and family back home in CA and other areas of the country.  But in all, we know we are called to South Carolina and we believe that God will use our lives here in mighty ways.

Thank you for reading and keeping in touch with us.  And remember to be thankful every day.  Life is a gift, and it is what we make of it.  Take care, everyone!


Ben and the gang

Adjusting to the South

It has been awhile since we have updated the blog.  The truth is that we have been quite busy moving in and unpacking all of our stuff in our new home.  We have been in South Carolina for 3 weeks now.  We love it here so far.  We are all adjusting very well.  God has been so good to us all and we feel more excited about this time in our lives than any other in the past.

We have joined NewSpring Church and are loving every minute of it.  Kylie and Isaiah really enjoy their classes.  Crystal and I are excited to start volunteering.  We feel the confirmation that this was the right choice for us to make.  It is hard to be away from all of our family and friends, but we know that this is the exact spot that God wants us to be in.

Day 2

We officially left yesterday and began heading south. We drove to the LA area to visit and spend the night with family. Today we are headed to Arizona to stay with some friends we have about a 7 hour drive scheduled today. 

So far the kids have done very well. Kylie loves riding in the truck with daddy. 6 full days ahead, and we will be home. 

What's Next?

Hey everyone,

It's been almost a month since we've posted an update here. We have been doing well. We were able to take a weekend trip to South Carolina last week. We had fun checking out the area and meeting new people. We had a great time at our new church. We really feel strongly that God will use us in great ways as we make our move to the Southeast. 

I'm currently working out a job transfer with my current employer. Hopefully that will clear in the next month or two. Thanks to everyone who has prayed for us along the way. We continue to thank you for your prayerful support. 

One thing to celebrate is that I have officially finished my master's degree program. I am very excited to have accomplished this. And I know I could not have done it without the help and support from Crystal and the kids. =)

Thanks,

Ben

Happy Birthday Crystal!

Dear Crystal,

I'm so excited to be able to share another birthday with you today.  You are an amazing person inside and out.  The last four years have been the best of my life.  After meeting you 10+ years ago, I never thought that our relationship would bring me so much joy.  You truly are a wonderful woman, and an even greater wife, mother, friend, and example of a person whose life is surrendered to Jesus.  You are my best friend and I am so thankful for the life we have together.  Some people didn't understand the love we had for each other in the beginning, but that didn't change the way we felt about each other.  But then again, God's work shines brightest in the most unlikely situations.  You are a fabulous encouragement to me.  There is no way that I would have been able to accomplish my academic goals without your support every step of the way.  Now that we're embarking on a new adventure together as a family, I have no doubt that we will be able to do all that God is calling us to do because we're in it together.  Even though the enemy has attempted to distract you with all of your recent health issues, I have seen so much growth in you.  Your relationship with Jesus is much stronger now, and I see evidence every day of your faith and trust in Him.  On top of all that, you continue to amaze me as a Supermom.  You have an unconditional love for Kylie and Isaiah that is unlike anything else.  Even in the midst of a crazy day and sleepless night, you still show the love and compassion to them like no other.  Sure, you get frustrated just like anyone else.  But your attitude of sincere love and care for them always seems to shine through.  You are truly a good example to Kylie and Isaiah of God's abundant love.  Experiencing that kind of love and provision will make it much easier for them to believe in the love that God has for them.

You are a special individual, Crystal.  There is no one like you.  Kylie, Isaiah, and I are extremely grateful to be able to share our lives with you.  There is no other woman I want to spend my life with.  You are what I need to be a successful father, pastor, and person in this life.  I'm so glad I have you.  You're the best.  And I love you!!! Have a happy birthday.  You deserve it!



Love,

Ben

We're excited to announce...

We got the call today letting us know that we were NOT accepted into the NewSpring Church Apprenticeship program! There were 10 spots available, but we did not make the cut. We are not discouraged, though. We still believe that God used this opportunity to transform our hearts and surrender it all to Him. Like we said from the beginning, regardless of whether we get into the program, we still believe God is calling us to move to SC. Our eyes are going to stay focused on Jesus and we are going to take a bold step and move across the country, believing that God is leading us every step of the way. 

Please do not feel sorry or let us know that you are sorry for this news.  We have both felt that God has had His hand in this the entire time.  We know that He has a plan for us that is much greater than we can imagine.  For that reason, we are excited to see what comes next.  This opportunity and journey so far has given us the chance to align ourselves with God's heart.  We have grown closer to Him during this process and have increased our dependence and faith.  

We greatly thank you for your prayers and continuous support for our family over the last 3 months. We know that God has a plan for us in South Carolina and we are believing Him for great things. We stand firm on the promise that HIS grace is sufficient and that HIS power works best in our weakness! This is just the beginning and we are going to need even more support as we follow HIS lead into the future. We will keep in touch. Thank you!

Morris Fam

Thank you for your support

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us over the last couple months. We really appreciate the continued support. The good news is that my interview went well. I was very pleased with how smoothly everything went. They are interviewing 35 people in total, and will select 10 to be a part of the program. I should find out the results by this time next week.

The bad news is that our family is still battling with sickness. Crystal is healing from her symptoms and continues to show signs of improvement. However, Kylie developed pink eye and is on antibiotics. Isaiah has been fighting a cold as well but is also showing signs of recovery. Somehow, I have managed to stay away from it all. I'm the last man standing and I hope to keep it that way. Every time I touch one of the kids I wash my hands. 

Please continue to pray for us as we get over all the sickness and get back into our regular routine. 

Thanks so much,

Ben and the gang

A Letter To The Devil

Dear Satan,

That was a low blow, going after my wife like that. Starting with her anxiety. And then her random symptoms that the doctors cannot explain. Then a cold. And now pink eye. In BOTH eyes! What's up with that? And then you try to go after my son and let him have a fever, when it's already 100 degrees outside. What the hell? Feels like it, that's for sure. Well you're not getting anything out of us. You may be mad that we're following God's plan, but that's too bad. 

I know you are not capable of reading people's thoughts, so let me just go ahead and tell you what I'm thinking. There's nothing you can do to make my family and I wander off the path that God has for us. Romans 8:11 tells me that the same power that conquered the grave lives in me. The same God that limits your power and banished you to the earth guides my every step. I've got insider access to the Almighty God. So if I was you, I would pick on someone else who you might stand a chance with. The Morris family stands for Jesus, and you're no match for Him. In the words of the great prophet Joshua, "As for me and my family, we will serve The Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

So I hope that scares the hell out of you. Literally. But if not, then I've got two words for you, "Bring it!" Give it your best shot. We're not afraid of you. The battle has already been won. Jesus conquered DEATH! And we're on His team. You don't stand a chance. 

Sincerely,

Ben

One Week Away

My interview with NewSpring is 1 week from today.  I am excited that it is almost here.  It will have been exactly 3 months since I sensed God leading me to look into this program and apply for the position.  Crystal and I are very excited for this opportunity and we cannot wait to see what God has planned for our family.

Would you do us a favor this week and take some time to pray for us?  We would really appreciate it.  Here's a few specifics:

• Pray that God will lead me during the interview (Wed July 3rd @10:30am)
• Pray that the enemy will stay away from us
• Pray that Crystal will continue to relax and recover from her recent health issues
• Pray that God will continue to prepare us for our move and that we will trust His provision

We appreciate your support thus far and thanks in advance for praying for us.  And we would really like to pray for you as well.  If you'll let us know how we can pray specifically for you, we would be honored.  I'll let you know how everything goes.

--

Ben

p.s. Feel free to send me some encouragement on Wednesday morning via text, email, facebook or twitter. I'd really appreciate it.  

So Many Questions...Not So Many Answers

There's a lot of questions surrounding our move to South Carolina.  Many people have been asking us many different things.  And honestly, we have been asking some of the same questions.  For example:

• When are we moving?
• What will our living situation be like?
• If we get accepted to the program, what are our plans once the program finishes?
• Am I going to have enough money to support our family of 4?
• Will we stay in South Carolina for the rest of our lives?
• When will Ben finally get rock-hard abs?

Okay, so maybe I'm the only one asking that last question.  But the truth is, we do not have all the answers.  But we're okay with that because we made this decision based upon a whisper from God.  

The last four years have been a time of waiting for Crystal and I.  We wrestled at times over the last few years feeling like God was not answering our prayers.  We felt like He had more in store for us all along, but was not ready to take us to the next level yet.  And if you've ever been in a situation like that, where you feel God is silent or absent, it can be a tough time.  

But what we've learned is that when God is silent, He is never still.  He is actively working behind the scenes to get you ready for His next move.  The in-between period can be hard, but it is necessary for growth.  We feel like God is beginning to reveal to us the next part of His plan for our lives.  But we don't know all the details, and we don't need to.  

In Joshua 3, God raises up Joshua to be the next leader of Israel (Joshua has some really big shoes to fill as he succeeds Moses).  Joshua is relying on God to show him what steps to take in order to continue to lead the Israelites, and to gain their trust in his leadership.  God tells Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan River so they can move ahead and conquer many nations.  God promises to dry up the Jordan River so they can safely cross, but only after they arrive at the river and put their feet in.  

God will often times give us a promise, but will require us to take a step in faith before we can see His power.  We know that God is sending us to South Carolina to tell people about Jesus.  And now it is our turn to take the step of faith so that He may reveal the power of His mighty hands.  We don't need to know all the answers because we know His promises.  That was enough for Joshua, and it is more than enough for you and me.  

We Need Prayer Partners

The last couple weeks have not been the easiest for our family.  Crystal has been battling some health issues that are no fun at all.  The last few weeks, she has been suffering with a lot of anxiety.  The worst seems to be behind her, but she still gets little attacks here and there.  She feels like she is able to control them when they come, but it still takes a toll on her mentally and physically.  In addition, her body has been very weak and there are days when she does not feel up to doing much of anything.  We are not sure if this is related to her anxiety or not, and the doctors are having a rough time figuring out what is going on.

On a happier note, I have an interview scheduled with NewSpring Church on July 3rd at 10:30am.  This is for a spot in the Apprenticeship Program that I applied for in April.  It is officially one month away.  Our kids are doing well.  Kylie is working on getting fully potty-trained, while Isaiah is starting to eat rice cereal.

As our family is going through a lot of changes right now, we need prayer more than ever. We would love to have you partner with us in prayer.  It would really mean a lot to us.  Here are a few ways you can specifically pray for us:

• Crystal's health - strength, comfort, peace. Pray that the doctors would be able to help her and figure out a good plan for the future.
• Ben's interview - pray that God would give me peace and clarity as I prepare for my interview.
• Our SC move - pray that we would remain focused on God's plan rather than clouding our minds with our own. Pray for provision as we take this big step of faith.
• Kylie and Isaiah - pray that the kids will transition smoothly when we move.

Thank you for praying for us and following us on this journey.  We welcome conversation and all forms of encouragement.  Please feel free to connect with us via social media (find links on the left column) or send us an email at benjaminandcrystal@gmail.com.  

--

Ben

Our Next Chapter

This Morris family started on May 30, 2009, when Crystal and I were married at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA.  We were both born in the old San Jose Medical Center, and have always lived in San Jose.  Kylie was born on 12/27/2010.  And just last year, Isaiah was born on 12/26.  Our small family of four has enjoyed living in the heart of Silicon Valley and we love the richly diverse culture here.  However, we sense God calling us to turn the page and start a new chapter of our lives.

Over the last few months, we have been really trying to hone in on our vision as a family and stay focused on growing in our relationship with Jesus.  At the same time, we have been trying to decide whether to buy a house or not.  We began saving money last year and are in a position to make our first home purchase.  But over the last couple months, Crystal and I both felt the need to put our home search on pause and simply realign ourselves with God's plans.  

As I was meditating one morning, I sensed God prompting me to look into a program that I had heard about nearly two years prior.  When I first heard about it, I didn't even think twice about it, because the program was offered at a church in South Carolina.  But as God has changed our hearts and life situation, it suddenly had a different impact on me. To make a long story short, I told Crystal about it. We then prayed about it and both felt an enormous amount of peace and excitement about this opportunity. 

Fast forward a couple weeks and we have officially made the decision to move our family from the Bay Area to Anderson, SC to be a part of NewSpring Church. Currently, I have applied for the apprenticeship program and just received word that I've been selected for an interview in July. Crystal and I believe that God has called us to this point in our lives and is leading us into South Carolina. We believe that God will allow us to be a part of this program, and we have made the decision to move to Anderson either way.

This is a really exciting time for us and we are trusting God to continue to lead the way. We plan to use this site as a way to update you on our journey. So if you're interested in keeping up with us, then join us along the way as we follow God's lead across the country.

We'll be in touch!

--

Ben